Name a distant world, fireworks through a diffraction grating, radio telescope helps Puerto Rican relief

Double act: artist’s impression of the (486958) 2014 MU69 flyby. (Courtesy: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute/Carlos Hernandez)

By Hamish Johnston

Here is an opportunity to put your mark on the solar system. NASA and the team behind the New Horizons spacecraft are asking the public to nickname the mission’s next flyby target. Located in the Kuiper belt and called “(486958) 2014 MU69”, the target is likely to be two objects – each about 20 km across – in a very close orbit. So, a name like “Cheech and Chong” could be a winner. To enter, go to “Help us nickname a distant world”.

Ever wonder what fireworks would look like when viewed through a diffraction grating? You are in luck because astrophysicist Jen Gupta has posted a video of such a scene in all its psychedelic glory on Twitter.

In September, Hurricane Maria roared through Puerto Rico and the US territory is still struggling to deal with the aftermath. Some good news is that the huge Arecibo radio telescope only suffered minor damage and is now allowing relief agencies to use its facilities including a fresh-water well, electric generators and a helicopter pad. The telescope is also coming back to life with an unlikely ally – local WiFi providers. The facility has lost its Internet connection and is relying on wireless communications at the very radio frequencies it must police to avoid interference with its observations. See “Giant radio telescope lends a hand in Puerto Rico relief” for more.